Anise

At a Glance

A plant name appearing in older English Bible translations of Matthew 23:23, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for tithing tiny herbs while neglecting weightier matters of the law.

Key Points

• Older translations often say “anise”
• many modern translations say “dill.” • The herb itself is not the point of the passage. • The verse condemns hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. • This is primarily a translation/botanical term, not a major theological concept.

Description

Anise is a translation-level term used in some older English Bibles for the plant named in Matthew 23:23. In that passage, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for carefully tithing even small garden herbs while neglecting the weightier matters of the law. The plant is commonly understood in many modern translations as dill, so “anise” reflects an older English translation tradition rather than a distinct biblical doctrine or theological category. The principal point of the passage is ethical and spiritual: outward precision in religious observance cannot substitute for obedience to God’s higher demands.

Biblical Context

Matthew 23:23 is the key biblical setting. Jesus condemns the Pharisees for tithing even minor herbs while overlooking justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The herb functions as an illustration of misplaced emphasis, not as a subject of doctrinal teaching.

Historical Context

Older English translations sometimes used “anise” for the plant in Matthew 23:23, while many later translations prefer “dill.” In the ancient world, small garden herbs could be tithed, but Jesus’ point was that meticulous attention to such details could coexist with serious moral failure.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Tithing was known in Jewish life and could extend to garden produce and herbs. Jesus’ rebuke assumes familiarity with careful religious practice, but He exposes the danger of treating secondary matters as if they were the heart of covenant faithfulness.

Primary Key Texts

• Matthew 23:23

Original Language Note

The underlying Greek term in Matthew 23:23 is commonly understood to refer to dill; “anise” is an older English rendering found in some translations.

Theological Significance

The passage uses the herb as an example to teach that external precision in religious practice must not replace the greater obligations of God’s law. The verse emphasizes justice, mercy, faithfulness, and integrity.

Philosophical Explanation

The verse illustrates a moral hierarchy: small ritual acts are not wrong in themselves, but they become misguided when detached from higher ethical duties. Proper religious order keeps the lesser subordinate to the greater.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine on the plant name itself. Translation choices vary, and the main concern of the passage is moral rebuke, not botany. The term belongs more properly in a translation or Bible-plant category than in a doctrinal one.

Major Views

Older English versions, especially the KJV, use “anise.” Many modern translations use “dill.” The difference is translational, not doctrinal.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry does not establish a doctrine about herbs, tithing of spices, or ceremonial precision by itself. Its doctrinal value lies only in the teaching of Matthew 23:23 about priorities and hypocrisy.

Practical Significance

Believers should avoid a religion of technical exactness that neglects mercy, justice, and faithfulness. The verse calls for inward and outward obedience together, with higher moral duties taking priority.

Related Entries

• Matthew 23:23
• Dill
• Pharisees
• Tithing
• Hypocrisy

See Also

• Justice
• Mercy
• Faithfulness
• Herbs
• KJV